Ana Gomez Chapman has never forgotten her roots growing up in Colombia with parents who encouraged her love of learning and supported her quest to attend college in the U.S.
“Every opportunity that has come my way has been because of education, and I have been very fortunate to have had people support me along my journey,” says Ana. “That’s part of what drives me to support others who are looking for those same opportunities.”
That, says Ana, is why education remains a very important priority as a member of San Diego Foundation Board of Governors. Having an influential voice in providing direction to what is among the more respected and impactful foundations in California—a foundation that in 2024-25 awarded $102.4 million to more than 2,500 nonprofits—is among her most cherished responsibilities.
“It is not something the Board of Governors takes lightly,” she said. “Being affiliated with a foundation that gives back to the community in an efficient and responsible way is an honor.”
A Global Perspective
Nearly one-fourth of SDF grants are directed to educational initiatives, such as the Community Scholarship Program, Ready to Learn, and BiGI. Education, however, is not Ana’s sole interest. Her education and business ventures have led her to experience multiple countries. San Diego’s multiculturalism played a significant role in convincing Ana to choose San Diego as a community to raise her children.
“We wanted to explore a completely new place and live in a city, but not too large of a city, that had a blend of Latin American culture. It turned out to be a good choice.”
Diverse communities, she said, should be treasured, not ridiculed.
“Fostering an environment of inclusion and cohesion in a community that’s very diverse—at a time when the national conversation is trending more toward ‘you don’t belong here’—is critical,” says Ana.
Which is why prioritizing affordable housing and basic needs are also close to her heart. “A human life is a human life, regardless of what you look like or where you come from.”
Journey to San Diego
Pictured above: Cornell University (Credit: Will Barkoff)
Ana earned her bachelor’s degree in civil and environmental engineering from Cornell University and her MBA from Columbia Business School. She spent more than 30 years in financial services—including stops as an investment banking analyst at Smith Barney Shearson (now Citigroup) and Goldman Sachs. She’s lived in New York, London, and Singapore holding senior leadership roles at some of the industry’s most notable firms.
Today, she runs her own financial services firm, Muzo Capital Partners.
Ana was appointed to SDF’s Board of Governors in 2025 and has been a member of its Investment Committee, on which she now serves as Vice Chair, since 2021.
Reflections of a Board Member
Serving her beloved San Diego community as an SDF board member has been beyond rewarding. “The Foundation sets the blueprint for what every community foundation should be. We are united in one mission, and I am humbled to be part of this organization.”
Her advice to future board members: “It’s important to balance present needs with future goals, while keeping an eye on long-term sustainability. We want to be a force for good well into the future, so that our children, our grandchildren, our great-grandchildren will continue to benefit from a vibrant San Diego.”
